Texas Gun Free Businesses

This is an alphabetical list of Gun Free Businesses that will prohibit Open Carry in Texas as of January 1st, 2016. It is being continuously updated. If you have an update of a Gun Free Business #TXgunfreebiz or one allowing Open Carry not listed on this site email: GunFreeBusinesses@gmail.com with the business’ name, location (state wide, town or city), website-if available, and OCB-Open Carry ban (30.07 sign-if it’s up or soon will be) &/or CCB-Concealed Carry ban (30.06 sign-if it’s up or soon will be).

Please reach out to these businesses when you can via social media, email, or in person when you shop there to show your gratitude for their choice to be a #TXgunfreebiz!

For any businesses that need signs the Austin Chronicle is providing concealed carry ban (30.06) and open carry ban (30.07) signs for free in PDF format here: http://www.austinchronicle.com/gun-free-zone/

Please use #TXgunfreebiz and #TXgfb on social media (FB, Instagram, Twitter, Yelp, etc) to encourage Texas businesses to get their GFB on! Be sure to ask businesses if they will be posting signage-concealed carry (30.06) and for open carry (30.07)-or have a policy in place.

Open Carry Banned-OCB, all on the list below ban open carry-requires visible 30.07 signage.

Did you mean visible unconcealed weapons? I would have to agree that open carry could possibly disrupt a peaceful environment. That is why I agree with you on unconcealed being a problem.
However I have to mention that Texas has a large population which carries concealed weapons. If you are afraid of guns please educate yourself about the proper use and application of firearms.

I’m glad we agree about open carried firearms disrupting a peaceful environment. Firearms are weapons, there’s no denying that at all, and weapons tend to disrupt peaceful environments regardless. So I support businesses right to ban concealed weapons as well. I personally am educated on firearms, went hunting as a kid and didn’t like it. I have family who own firearms and hunt regularly too. I’ve also lost 2 family members to firearm related suicides and have many friends who have lost loved ones to shooters that support this site. So I’m very aware of the damage firearms can do. There is also a larger population of Texans that don’t own firearms, or own firearms yet don’t support open carry.

The Children’s Place in Conroe TX will allow Open Carry of weapons in their store, according to an employee I spoke with on the phone. The woman I spoke with there said she had not contacted corporate, that it was corporate’s responsibility to let them know of any policy change/addition. In this case, I might take the initiative.

Whatever your feelings about Open Carry please be extra careful here. I’ve had my nieces/nephews in this store and children love to tug and pull away toward the shiny, fun displays, as children do. Some risks aren’t worth it. Jan

The ones without any are at least OCB, all on the list do. Each business will at least have an OCB by it when I’m done updating. I’m still collecting intel. Though some businesses may be OCB only atm, many are working on becoming CCB as well. Thank you for your polite question.

Just wanting to clarify here, is the page so the people who dont want to be around guns can know where to go shopping in a gun free zone? Or is this to inform those who choose to open carry of what businesses to boycott?

Thank you for your question! It was originally intended to be a list for people who don’t support Open Carry to know which businesses to patron and which ones to not until they post signs. Open Carry supporters are using it as a list to boycott, which is fine with me since both groups will be staying away from one another by patroning different businesses and helps avoid conflict.

I am not a fan of the open carry law now. But I fully support the conceal weapon. But if these stores don’t allow it will its their right. Its like telling Chick-fi-la or Hobby Lobby what that cant and can do. But that’s my view.

Thank you for your comment. Though I am a pansexual woman and disagree that denying people healthcare & benefits for people who women & LGBTQ+ people-which isn’t a choice-versus carrying a weapon-which is a choice and not part of your body-are different. I do agree that the businesses do legally have the right in Texas to ban guns and weapons from their property.

You’re very welcome. Please be sure to subscribe to https://gunfreebusinesses.wordpress.com/ for updates. JC Penney and Dillards are usually in malls, malls are consistently banning Open Carry thus far-which includes all of the retail stores inside of them. I have some private universities to add today. I encourage you to call businesses to find out (ask whether they ban concealed carry too-requires an updated 30.06 sign, for a language change and the open carry sign is a 30.07 one) and then email me at gunfreebusinesses@gmail.com with the info. Thank you!

I’m moving Starbucks to the Open Carry Business list today. They commented that they request people not to carry weapons onto their property, but that it ‘wasn’t a prohibition.’ I encourage you to contact them to let them know how you feel.

If I’m not mistaken (from my CHL class) a verbal is as good as a posted sign. While I am not a big supporter of open carry (I believe those who will open carry are the ones who have this “Look at me” attitude) I only like it because if I accidentally expose my weapon, I will not violate the law. I will conceal carry only where allowed. I do find it somewhat strange though, that those on here claiming they will feel safer in a business where no one is allowed to carry must be somewhat confused. A person with harmful intent couldnt care less about the law, some sign or a business owners wish. People that are liscensed to carry have gone through training, are typically law abiding and are willing to save the life of people when confronted by a violent offender. My weapon will never be shown unless I or some other innocent person is in fear of or in danger of losing their life to some criminal element. So those stating they will only support businesses that ban OC and CC may actually be going into a more dangerous place than one that allows carrying. Just my 2¢ worth.

I think each person has a different view of what makes them feel safe. For some it’s not having guns around, others it is having guns around and on their body ready to go. Some people feel safer with law enforcement around, others without them around. People don’t have to like guns for any reason they choose, people don’t have to feel safe around guns either whether it’s fact based, personal experience, ‘propaganda’ as I’m being accused of, or anything else.

You’re welcome! Businesses on this list don’t want armed business, I’m pretty sure they aren’t worried to ‘lose’ armed business when they will be getting so much more business supporting their stance to ban guns on their property.

I left a reply and evidently it doesn’t conform to your beliefs so therefore it won’t get posted….which is what I suspected in the first place.
Only remarks that “support” your biased thinking will appear on here

I’m allowing polite responses here, not angry rants that are insulting people-which I’ve received several of. If you want to comment here, you will have to be polite and respectful of others commenting here-including me-as well as to the site itself. As a Texan, I’m a big believer in manners. Thank you for your interest in my site and for your comment. This site does respect people’s right to own firearms and businesses right to choose to prohibit weapons on their property by anyone other than law enforcement or security. Do remember, Texas is a VERY pro-business state.

Hi Heather Ross, Thank you for making this information public, I stopped going to Whataburger and now have several other places to NOT patronize. Guns are not evil, if you distrust the people around you so much you should find a cave and be a HERMIT. And for the record, I believe you are manipulating the posted response.

You’re very welcome! I’m sure the businesses will be happy to not have your business. I’ve been MODERATING the post responses, which means I have to approve them before they are shown. Gun sites do the same, or delete them after they’ve been posted. This way is easier for me. Anyway, as I stated in a response earlier I’m not allowing rude or disrespectful comments towards me, the site or anyone else. Though yours is impolite and reads like you just want to yell at me instead of contributing to a healthy conversation here, I’m allowing it so you and anyone else who comments will understand.
You aren’t banned, if you wish to comment in the future be polite and contribute to the conversation in a HEALTHY way.

Don’t understand why this guy can rant and I can’t even tell people how to stay safe. Can someone please contact me and explain why my comment was removed? What I find impolite is the fact that the moderator will not even allow me to be part of the conversation for reasons that I don’t quite understand (I assume it is due to my beliefs) if someone would contact me or repost my initial comment I would appreciate it.

Your comment might be further down the forum. This is a free informational blogsite of mine, I can moderate it as I see fit. Pro-gun sites moderate as they see fit. I’ve also got 87 comments to sort through right now while I update the list. Updating the list is more of a priority than approving or disallowing comments and responding to them. This site isn’t a forum for people to argue or rant about their beliefs no matter where you sit on these issues. If you have a general question or concern that is relevant I’ll answer it.
Comments also don’t show up until I approve them and I haven’t unapproved any comment that I approved. So if yours got through it should still be there.
For anyone reading this, I definitely am not tolerating trolling either. If you respond in ALL CAPS your post will automatically not be approved. You can go elsewhere to ALL CAPS RANT.

I just found your original comment with the ‘warning’. I have a disability, epilepsy in fact, and found it offensive that you view us less abled than people without disabilities who you rudely phrased ‘can’t protect themselves’ so it won’t be posted. Your comment also comes across as incredibly sarcastic and wasn’t genuine.
You aren’t banned, I don’t have to give you a platform to discriminate against people or be rude.

Let’s help Heather, each other and ourselves. We’re grownups seeking information. Post info about whether particular businesses allow Open Carry, Concealed Carry, or ban either or both. Keep it brief, kind and to the point. Good day, everyone, and God bless you all.

So saddened to see Half Price Books on your list as not allowing any firearms. I have been shopping there for 30 years and never seen a 30.06 sign. Is this something new? Either way, I guess Amazon will be getting more of my business.

Thank you very much for this important information. I too grew up with guns, have owned many in my lifetime, even participated in shooting competetions. However I choose not to shop or eat where I have to expect a gun toting man or woman to walk in at any time. I think it is unrealistic to expect me to assume that anyone carrying a gun is one of the ‘good’ guys and just continue eating or shopping as usual. Please continue the good work, and maybe you could do some research for those of us in Ft.Worth.

Thank you. I’m not against people owning guns, it’s just difficult for anyone to know other than the person carrying the firearm their intent especially in a public place. It’s incredibly important for gun owners to safely store their guns-which not every gun owner knows how to do and this is something else that needs to be improved to prevent ‘accidents.’ The list is growing from across the state each day, it’s 2am and I’m still updating the site as well as responding to comments. I’ll reach out to ppl in Ft. Worth to get the data coming in. Send any businesses you find out their policies on my way at gunfreebusinesses@gmail.com

Heather Ross
It is a shame that you are only posting people that agree with you.
I thought this was a open form to discuss the issue but I was wrong.
Please understand that if a their is ever a need for me to protect you tell me don’t believe in me carrying my gun.

Thank you for your comment. I don’t know where you got that this was a forum for people to argue with each other. It’s more of a place for me to give feedback and answer questions. The title of the site isn’t ‘open carry discussion forum’ it’s an informational list that I’m managing and as the owner of the site I can moderate the forums as I see fit.
I’ve been in dangerous situations before and there was no need for a gun, it would have only escalated the situations I’ve been in and I’ve had a butcher knife to my throat-I talked the person down. So I’m pretty sure I can handle myself. Thank you for your concern though! I also haven’t said I’m against people owning guns, I’m against a guns everywhere society. I don’t think pulling out a gun is a good way to resolve conflict.

I agree with the fact that companies have a right to refuse service just as I have a right not to use their service. My issue is more with you Heather. You come across very close minded. You blame weapons for things in your past but I hate to tell you this but a gun did not cause the suicides in your family. If not a gun then something else would have been used. I am VERY sorry for your loss as it is very sad. The loss of any loved one, reguardless of how, is hard.
I pray you have a Blessed Year and that you find peace in your life.

I didn’t say I blame the gun, statistically suicide attempts with guns end in death at much higher rates than any other means. If you OD on pills you are very likely to survive, get help and move on with your life. I had a suicide attempt in my past and I’m still here so NO the stigma that if someone wants to commit suicide they will find a way is inaccurate. The new Executive Order by Obama will provide $500 million to increase access to mental health care which will help suicide rates further drop across the board.
Think I’m close minded if you want, we don’t truly know one another so I don’t take it personally or as an insult. Thanks for the feedback and condolences though. Yes, losing him was incredibly hard on my family as a whole.

I don’t carry. Don’t even have a CCL. But, I have not entered any business who posted a 30.06 sign for years now. I view these signs as “Criminals Welcome” indicators. The 30.07 sign alone will not stop me from doing business, it will merely move them to second choice if I know their competition has no such policy.

Thank you Heather for this website which makes it easier for folks like myself to determine the attitudes of the business before we waste our money.

I emailed you privately already, but wanted to say again publicly how much I appreciate the work you have done to create, moderate and manage this list of businesses for the Austin public. I started contacting businesses about a month before the law took effect because of my own concerns of exposing my children to a world in which carrying guns everywhere is considered “normal,” and of a law that supports irrational fears and suspicion of fellow human beings. I am so grateful for the businesses here in Texas that will not succumb to fear and panic, and who prioritize the safety and well-being of their customers. Thanks so much for doing this with pleasantness and grace. 🙂

Can anyone tell me of a store comparable to TJ Maxx that will ban Open Carry? So far even Steinmart says they will allow Open Carry and I just don’t want to shop at businesses that allow. Like so many of you, don’t want to disrespect others’ views — just be true to my own values. I may just have to pay full price or wait for deep sales to get good quality but thank goodness Dillards, Tommy Bahama, others opting out of Open Carry. Another real tough challenge: Building materials — Lowes, Home Depot, both will allow. Other places I’ve checked out: Both FedEx and UPS say NO open carry and don’t let their individual sites tell you differently, which some will try to do. I talked to UPS corporate HQ today. I was told to call back the very rude Montgomery County-area store and tell them corporate said they could not make their own decision.

Also, all Methodist Churches — a United Methodist Churches conference policy, NO Open Carry!

Just to clarify: Valero/Corner Store — a layered mess. CST BRands (operates many Corner Stores) no real word. Valero — also confusing. At least Chevron, Shell, Stripes on board with NO OPEN Carry.

I’m weary, after days and days of calling, of the “end-around statement ‘We’ll follow the law’ by some business spokespeople. In fact, following the law means a business owner may opt out of allowing Open Carry. Agree or disagree, there are options. And, Heather, great job — a service to us all.

Much as we might hope, the statement: “…all Methodist Churches — a United Methodist Churches conference policy, NO Open Carry!” can not be true. What IS true is that the official position of the worldwide United Methodist Church (UMC) is that every church is a weapon-free zone, under Resolution #5011, 2008 Book of Resolutions
().
However, under Methodist polity, that does not constitute a directive for individual congregations to post notice, allowing local churches to decide for themselves under Texas law whether to allow weapons.

No one group speaks for all congregations of the UMC in Texas, which is composed of five separate geographically-defined organizational units, known as Annual Conferences, the names of which are Texas, North Texas, Rio Texas, Central Texas, and Northwest Texas. From relatively cursory research (the spirit of this website would seem to discourage inordinately meticulous searches for open carry bans, even while seeking to identify, report, and support them), there do not appear to be uniform responses to Penal Code Section 30.07 among the UMC annual conferences in the state.

The Rio Texas Annual Conference has chosen to take NO position
()
on the matter, leaving it to individual churches in the conference to determine their lawful permission or prohibition of both open and concealed carry. The Texas Annual Conference stance
()
has been to RECOMMEND that its churches prohibit open carry, and it has made NO recommendation concerning concealed carry. Both conferences make it clear that churches which DO decide to prohibit either open or concealed carry MUST comply with either 30.06 or 30.07, including signage, as applicable.

The other three annual conferences in Texas do not appear to have issued any official positions or recommendations.

Do you have information about Target? I thought that their national company policy was to prohibit guns, but they are not anywhere on your list. I’m also curious about the Trader Joe’s in the Dallas area. Does it vary store-to-store? Or is there a nationwide or statewide policy? Thanks for helping make this information available!

Thank you for asking! Target is on the Open Carry Businesses page on this site: https://gunfreebusinesses.wordpress.com/open-carry-businesses/ they are requesting people to not carry in their stores, but aren’t posting either the 30.07 or 30.06 sign. They will stay on that list until the signs are up. Trader Joe’s is banning open carry with a 30.07 sign statewide. I moved them to be under the state-wide section. You’re very welcome!

Heather will know more. But before I knew of Heather’s efforts and this site, I called Target in Conroe and was told they would allow. Then some confused language about they would ask people who “carried” to please not make others uncomfortable. That was Jan. 1. Have heard nothing since. I have been extremely busy trying to find any resource for building materials as my husband and I live in an older home and are generally remodeling something. It’s been very frustrating.

Thank you for publishing the names of stores who do not allow guns. I reposted it on my local bulletin board. I agree this is just a place to get the list of businesses that you can or can’t go into, depending on your views. It a public service and should only be seen as that. Just like some complain about thier rights to bare arms. I have the right not to want to carry. Have a great new year.

I went into two different Tom Thumbs in Dallas this morning, and they are “following the law” by allowing both open and concealed carry. You need to remove them from your list. The Sprouts that I went into appeared to be banning both open and concealed carry. They had both 30.06 and 30.07 signs posted.

Also, i went to Jo-Ann, and they are allowing both open and concealed carry and should be removed from your list. Whole Foods is banning both open and concealed carry. And Whole Earth Provision is banning Open Carry, but not Concealed.

Unfortunately, this is the result of someone deciding what’s best for the general public, and discriminating against law-abiding gun owners, based on experiences they–personally–had. While I’m very sorry you’ve lost family to gun-related suicide, is it possible that your loved ones were denied, or grossly under-provided, the psychological care they needed to prevent taking their lives in the first place? The gun wasn’t the cause, just like the car isn’t at fault, when someone chooses to drive intoxicated.

If you think these bans are going to deter ‘gun-related crime’, you are sadly, sadly mistaken. No criminal is going to legally possess a gun in the first place. What you will potentially deter is a law-abiding, trained citizen from responding to, or even preventing, a heinous crime from taking place, in the 6-8 minutes it takes for law enforcement to arrive, AFTER the violence has transpired. The best defense is a good offense.

Perhaps all this effort you’re exuding could be redirected at ensuring those individuals who need psychiatric/psychological evaluation and care, actually receive it? Perhaps focus on the root of the problem, which is most definitely NOT a law abiding citizen exercising his/her constitutional right to bear arms. That’s the PC choice. Providing signage and directories for your ’cause’ gets you the most recognition, for as little effort possible. Maybe tackle the harder epidemic, which is a serious lack of mental healthcare in this country. That’s the uphill battle–the dirty little secret our administration, and anti-gun lobbyists like yourself, try to sweep under the rug. Be an advocate for individuals and families of those crying out for help, to no avail, who end up taking lives because they’ve lost all hope. That, my friend, is a cause to support and I challenge you to champion it.

I think you’re perception that I don’t champion advocating increasing feasible access to mental health for everyone, especially those who need it is very far off. I’ve been doing that for awhile. I have a play premiering later this year addressing peoples experiences with domestic violence and how much mental health care & work it takes to get back to feeling normal again. Whatever your feelings about the President one of the Executive Actions is to provide $500 million for mental health in this nation, when I found out I cried because my work has paid off and more people will be able to get help. It’s possible to champion multiple causes at once. I know because I do it every single day.

You seem to assume everyone open carrying at businesses that allow it will be licensed. Businesses are legally allowed to opt out by law. They aren’t breaking any law doing so and the 2nd Amendment doesn’t grant the right to carry everywhere all of the time. Using the 2nd Amendment is a false argument. Also, businesses that do allow guns puts the employees in the place of checking each person for their CHL, which employees have been consistently saying they don’t want to do.

I also know mental health was a factor for my cousin, so was the gun. It’s not either or, it’s both. Humans are responsible for creating weapons, the laws around them, and what is done with them. Guns are a very real and clear part of gun violence. Saying they aren’t is doing so to ignore the facts and reality of it all for your own preferential benefits. So I challenge you to be more open minded in accepting the role guns play in gun violence.

Let me set the record straight for myself and, I believe, for many others. I am participating on the Gun Free Businesses site simply because we believe each individual should have a choice as to whether they patronize businesses that allow or don’t allow Open Carry. Opinions, arguments — of little interest to me. Please don’t assume I need a lecture on how to handle anyone in my family who has a mental illness; certainly do not presume I have made a decision from some uninformed place. I am Christian, very educated, a longtime community activist, and well-schooled in public policy, including law enforcement, social justice, and mental/emotional problems and treatment. I simply choose to shop in a different environment than you. Please, let’s stop cluttering this information-intended space with useless arguments. Neither you nor I are going to change anyone’s minds. Thanks very much for your cooperation.

Thank you for the effort in creating this list, and it will serve as a compass for law-abiding citizens on where to shop or not. However, this rhetoric really hurts my heart.

While I fully support businesses having absolute freedom to operate how they wish, I also support personal freedom. What I don’t fathom is the point of view many have whom are against those who possess a License to Carry (LTC) issued by the State of Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and vetted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The banning of these licensed patrons does not make the businesses environment safer, but does rather the opposite; it announces to those who carry a firearm without a license (criminal) they have no one opposing them and can come and go at free will, thus putting unarmed patrons at risk. The law-abiding citizen with an LTC being banned from the store (unless they disarm) have the following credentials:

1) No felony convictions.
2) No drug-related convictions.
3) No mental disabilities.
4) No Class B misdemeanor convictions in the past 5 years.
5) Have passed an FBI background check.

Thank you so much Heather for all your efforts and hard work publishing this list. I have lived all over the world and sadly feel far less safe in my own country because of guns. I also find it sad to hear Europeans and Australians for example say that they won’t travel to the US because it is too dangerous. I know we have a strong history with guns but it seems totally out of control. At least this list gives me the opportunity to shop and dine in an atmosphere that I feel comfortable. Others feel differently and can choose not to patronize these businesses. Freedom of choice is important. Thanks again!

Thank you for this site and list, Heather. I do not feel safe around Open Carry for several reasons. One, I’ve already seen too many photos of Open Carry advocates bringing assault weapons into restaurants, lining them up in chairs and booths, and then turning their attention away from them, leaving plenty of opportunity for a criminal or mentally ill person to grab one and start shooting. People who do not keep their weapon under their control at all times should not be Open Carrying in the first place. Two, if someone comes into a business and tries to rob it, I would much prefer that they get what they want and leave peacefully. I do NOT want to get caught in a crossfire. It doesn’t matter to me if I get shot by a criminal OR by an Open Carry advocate…the injury or death is the same. When there is a robbery or hostage situation, the Police do NOT simply start shooting at the crime scene. They try to get control of the situation, and will use non-lethal methods in preference to assault rifles. The Open Carry advocates have no intention of using non-lethal methods, they come prepared to kill, but not to do anything else. I do not want to get shot by mistake by someone who doesn’t know how to do anything but kill. Three, I would refer Open Carry advocates to the events surrounding the death of Chris Kyle, the American Sniper. He had guns, he was *highly* trained (and awarded) in their use, he had a friend with him who also had guns, they were forewarned that the third man was not normal, and yet both Kyle and his friend were killed, and the shooter walked away without a scratch. Open Carry of guns did not save the American Sniper OR his friend, nor did it stop the man who murdered them in cold blood. Open Carry does not work to do what Open Carry advocates say it will.

Will everyone please respectfully honor the intention of this site — information only on which businesses allow Open Carry, under what circumstances (they do vary); which prohibit even concealed carry, etc. Some of us simply want to know and have no desire to promote or denigrate others’ opinions? Please direct any opinions on Open Carry to appropriate forums. Thanks very much. This isn’t an attempt to limit the First Amendment — love it! Just a time-saving request.

while I respect everyone’s right to not allow or allow OC or CC, we must all remember, it is the law abiding citizens that decide to carry whether concealed or open legally. It is also the law abiding citizen that will honor the requests of these businesses. The common criminal could care less. I respect these business’s right to choose, and I hop all will respect my right to choose to do business elsewhere.

Hello, after contacting Joann customer service (there were no signs posted at either of the locations I visited), I received the following reply:

Thank you for contacting Jo-Ann Customer Service. I am very sorry for the delay in response. We are experiencing a higher than normal email volume.

I am so very sorry for the inconvenience. There was a miscommunication that occurred on our end. We have received clarification on our policy regarding firearms and it is that Jo‐Ann follows all applicable laws regarding firearms and private property. Jo‐Ann prefers that guns are not brought into our stores, in order to help foster a comfortable shopping environment for our customers. However, if a customer lawfully brings a gun into a store, and is not disrupting other customers or is not perceived as a threat, then we generally will allow it. If the presence of guns is disruptive or perceived as a threat in any way, our store managers are instructed to contact the police. We believe this approach represents a reasonable middle ground, given the passionate advocacy on both sides of this issue.

If you need anything else please call our Customer Service Department at 888-739-4120. We are open Monday-Saturday 9AM-7PM EST.

Thank you,

Kaitlyn
Customer Service Coordinator

So you need to remove Joann from your “Gun Free” list. They, like Target, are SAYING they don’t allow guns, but are unwilling to take any measures to ACTUALLY disallow guns.